Dyeing stag? Got a bunch from a co worker!!!!

[hondo76]

I got a bunch of mule deer and whitetail stag given to me by a co worker.
I had a cool idea to make some neck knives outta the tines using broad heads for blades. Think they would make cool Christmas gifts for my hunting friends and family. Im sure some one has done it before but I have not seen it. Seems easy to do in my head.
Anyway on to my question..
How hard would it be to dye the tines? I have always wanted to do some blue bone. What kina dye would I use? And how would I dye it ?

[metal99]

As far as the dye goes I'm not completely sure. But I do know that if you use a little vaccume setup antler takes dye fairly well.

[Ray Rogers]

Get some Rit fabric dye from your local grocery or fabric store. Use a vacuum setup like metal99 said or just soak it. Be sure it is thoroughly dry before you try to use it.

What you have is antler. Stag - at least in the knife world - is Indian Sambar Stag or sometimes one of the European stags like Red Deer. Stag is generally much larger than our deer and the good stuff has a lot more texture than you will find on deer antler ...

[NJStricker]

Another big difference between true stag and white tail or mule deer antler, as far as knifemaking goes, is the density of the pith. Sanbar stag is pretty dense throughout, whereas white tail antler is pretty porous. Over time as that pith dries out it will crumble and the integrity of your handle will fail. If you are using a larger piece off the beam, you can drill out the pith and fill the cavity with epoxy when you set your tang. On smaller pieces like the tines you'll probably be fine.

[AUBE]

Leather dye works well. Using a vacuum will definitely help with penetration but as long as it is dry antler you might have luck soaking/wiping it.

[hondo76]

On thanks for the info guys. I thought stag was just a general term for antler!

[hondo76]

Think you guys could give me a simple step by step on how to do this to use for a guideline? Or is just a simple drop it in the dye and leave it over night and wipe it off the next day kina thing? Would I dip it in 100% dye or mix it with water or something?

[Ray Rogers]

Depends on the dye. Thin it to get a color you like, leave it until it seems to have soaked in as far as it can. Make sure it gets dry before you use it. For that matter, it also needs to be very dry before you even think about dying the material. If this antler is from a recent hunt then you're probably a year away from dying it unless you can dry it in your oven and get lucky enough not to ruin it that way ...

[metal99]

I recently bought twenty pounds of elk antler from another knife maker. He told me that he doesn't use antler on his handles untill it's sat in a fairly dry environment for ten years. I know it takes a very long time for antler to dry but just how long I don't know.

As far as the dying with vaccume goes check out this video. http://youtu.be/-DfZXM2B51Q this is the most simple setup you could make. For a vaccume pump, before I bought an electric one I used an old bike tire pump. I reversed the piston, removed the one way valve and installed a new one way valve that works in the other direction. I can pull 27in/hg with this pump in a small container in no time. Pulling a vaccume also helps dry the material by boiling off the moisture.

[hondo76]

This stuff is at least a few years old its been hanging around the guys shop for a good long time. So hopefully it is dry enough.

[tuskbuster]

elk and deer is best when its been exposed to the elements for a year at the least ,provided you can keep the critters from eatin em plum up.at that point i put it in the shop . ive went thru 3 and 1/2 full sets of elk 5x5and 6x6 in the last 9 months .

[hondo76]

Well these racks were sheds that were found in nabraska and been having around his shop for a good while. Is there a way I can test if they are dry enough to use yet? I don't wanna end up ruining them.

[Cthulhu]

Originally Posted by metal99

I recently bought twenty pounds of elk antler from another knife maker. He told me that he doesn't use antler on his handles untill it's sat in a fairly dry environment for ten years. I know it takes a very long time for antler to dry but just how long I don't know.

As far as the dying with vaccume goes check out this video. http://youtu.be/-DfZXM2B51Q this is the most simple setup you could make. For a vaccume pump, before I bought an electric one I used an old bike tire pump. I reversed the piston, removed the one way valve and installed a new one way valve that works in the other direction. I can pull 27in/hg with this pump in a small container in no time. Pulling a vaccume also helps dry the material by boiling off the moisture.

I've never worked with antler or stag, fresh or otherwise, but the above made me wonder if there was a way to fast dry antler in the oven at very low temps?

Anyone ever tried?

[metal99]

I don't think it would hurt to bake it in the oven on a low heat.

If your antler is already that old I wouldn't be scared to use it.

[hondo76]

Im gonna give it a try and see what happens!